Kia Sidewinder - more than a design sketch?
Amazing to think that the minds behind the Kia Sephia came up with this one. The Kia Sidewinder, is one of the design concept entries for the L.A. Auto Show's "L.A. Adventure" design competition that we posted about in November. The design is a two-seater that's also a pretty funky hybrid: a compressed natural gas turbine is combined with in-wheel electric motors for some futuristic power plant action.
So why are we posting again? Well, there's a report from Auto Express in the U.K. that Kia has actual plans to put this baby (with a more conventional range of engine options) into production as a roadster on a Kia Rio platform. We'll just wait and see what the Kia folks have to say at the L.A. Show in January - stay tuned!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joel A 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
First the Crossfire. Then the Solstice and, later, the Sky. Now Kia (Kia!) is considering building a roadster. What's the appeal?!?
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VW-Guy 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
That car is hot.
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Corey W. 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Interesting design, not sure about that rear end though. I don't know what the level of appeal is for roadsters, but in a couple of years I'm hoping to get into a Soltice, Sky, or a Z4.
Maybe your answer can be found in why the Miata is such a popular car.
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Jeff Gilleran 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
It sure as hell IS Hot! :)
Its not a new concept turbine/electric, but using todays much better electric motors, and a well designed Gas Turbine, you could be in for some amazing power to weight ratios, and performance that goes along with it.
What does set it apart, is Near F1 Layout.
It reminds me a bit of a Mclaren.
Totally cool.
Based off a Modified Rio Platform?
Prices will likely be pretty reasonable.
CNG without the usual power disadvantage, and still doing it cleanly.
Let me at it!
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Moofie 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Joel, are you really serious? Do you not understand why small, open-topped sports cars are fun to drive?
Wow. I really can't get my head around that.
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Mick 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
The fenders appear to be part of the unsprung part of the rear-end.
With the wing attached to two "floating" parts like these makes me think the rear suspension is Di Dion type.
The Gas Turbine is a great idea. Fill 'er up with kerosene, diesel, sunflower oil, or anything else you can lay your hands on, as long as the fuel control unit can handle, put it in.
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Jaymez 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Isn't building a performance car on the Rio platform like building a Maserati on the Nash Metropolitan?
The wing appears to be mounted to the rear fenders. Interesting idea.
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Robert Brodrecht 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
@ Mick
After sticking electric motors on the wheels, unsprung weight it already through the roof...
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tariq 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
the rear wheels are connected to the body in a strange way. it seems like they ll break
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Mick 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Robert Brodrecht
My point is that unless the wing has a few hinges somewhere on it, the rear suspension will probably not be IRS.
It looks pretty firmly attached to me.
I agree that the unsprung weight will be on the high side. Not good for a performance car, if indeed that is what the preport it to be.
The main part of the car would be very light with only a GTurbine and two knuckel-heads in it to keep it down.
No wonder it has that wing!
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Galley 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Huh? I didn't think that Kia actually had a design department.
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Beanspants1 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
the rear looks like it's in the middle of transforming, possibly to steal some energon cubes.
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Adam 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Looks like a Hotwheels car, yuck. I'm guessing those rear tires wouldn't pass any crash test, they look like they are barely attached. Never gonna see that car in production i bet.
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Justin Bell 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
The advantage, of course, of having the wing connected directly to the wheels is that the downforce is applied to the wheels, rather than through the chassis and suspension system.
I don't know what kind of suspension that concept has, but many 1:8th scale on-road RC cars have IRS and partially mount the rear of the body directly to the lower a-arms (lateral movment of the body is stablised on the chassis).
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